International Journal of Anatomy and Research,
Int J Anat Res 2015, Vol 3(2):1165-67. ISSN 2321- 4287
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2015.192
Original Article
A NOVEL METHOD FOR COLORING AND LABELING SPECIMENS IN
THE ANATOMY MUSEUM
Latha V. Prabhu 1, Mangala M. Pai *2, Divya Premchandran 3, Rajanigandha
Vadgaonkar 4, Murlimanju B.V 5.
1
Professor of Anatomy, *2,4 Associate Professor, 3 PG in Anatomy, 5 Assistant Professor.
Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Centre for Basic Sciences,
Bejai, Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: In today’s medical educational programs in various institutes anatomy is an essential part of the
curriculum in the first year of the medical course. An attractive and innovative anatomical museum forms a
vital role in furthering the interest and educating a medical student. Once a specimen has undergone fixation
it is essential to color and label the specimens in order to ensure better visualization of required structures and
for its proper placement in the museum.
Materials and methods: We have utilized a novel method of using commercially available nail polish as a
coloring agent and as a part of the labeling of museum specimens.
Results: Nail polish being non- toxic and readily available can be used without causing any complications.
Discussion: Commercially available nail polish is cost effective and non-toxic. Its various usages are described
along with the techniques of labeling done in our anatomy museum.
KEY WORDS: Coloring, Labeling, Nail Polish, Proxy labeling.
Address for Correspondence: Dr. Mangala M. Pai, Associate professor, Department of Anatomy
Centre for Basic Science, KMC, Bejai, Mangalore 575004, Karnataka, India.
E-Mail: mangala.pai@manipal.edu
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Web site: International Journal of Anatomy and Research
ISSN 2321-4287
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DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2015.192
Received: 04 Jun 2015
Accepted: 19 Jun 2015
Peer Review: 04 Jun 2015 Published (O):30 Jun 2015
Revised: None
Published (P):30 Jun 2015
INTRODUCTION
Anatomy refers to the science of investigating
a body’s internal structure. It is one of the basic
sciences in a student’s medical career. It forms
an essential part of the medical curriculum. As
early as the 19th century anatomy has anatomy
become a prerequisite for a medical career,
hence private lecturers and hospital practitioners
developed anatomical teaching in both England
and France at a fast pace [1].
The norm of today’s medical teaching is ‘No
Dissection, No Knowledge’ [2]. Following
dissection of specimen’s normal anatomy of the
Int J Anat Res 2015, 3(2):1165-67. ISSN 2321-4287
given structure and the various possible
variations of the specimen could be analyzed.
Thus developed the process of preservation of
specimens and establishing of anatomical
museums. Once the specimens are fixed, it is
then mounted and displayed in anatomy
museums. A good anatomy museum can provide
an in depth learning of the various structures of
the body and can further the medical education
of the student. The effectiveness of a museum
in an educational program is based on the
principle that viewing an object is better
remembered and recollected than a written or a
verbal description.
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Latha V. Prabhu et al. A NOVEL METHOD FOR COLORING AND LABELING SPECIMENS IN THE ANATOMY MUSEUM.
Coloring and labeling, forms an essential
component in the display of specimens in an
anatomical museum. As emphasis is placed on
the use of prosected specimens to support
teaching and learning of gross anatomy, we have
utilized a novel method of using commercially
available nail polish as a coloring agent as well
as for preservation of wet specimen labels.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Nail Polish has been used as a coloring agent in
dry specimens and also in fixing colored wet
specimens. The specimen usually bones that is
to be colored is dried to remove all remaining
moisture. The areas to be colored are marked
and commercially available nail polish of various
colors are used for painting. Wet specimens
where coloring is required are first allowed to
dry overnight for removal of formalin from its
surface. Then the areas to be colored are marked
and commercially available poster or acrylic
paints are used. Vessels, nerves and various
tissues are colored in this manner.
Glass rods or cotton balls can be inserted into
larger vessels to maintain its configuration.
Once the paint is dried clear nail polish with amyl
acetate in a 1:1 ratio is applied on the painted
areas. The mixture is applied directly using paint
brushes.
Computerized labeling is done on charts or
drawing sheets of required size. Certain labels
like numbers or direct names can be fixed
directly on to the specimen by super glue. Or
the labels could be fixed beside the specimen
on the central stage. Before affixing the label a
coat of clear nail polish mixed with amyl acetate
in 1:1 ratio is applied.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Good museum specimens are only obtained and
preserved by care and planning and careful
treatment after its removal. The original
techniques of preservation included 3 steps
fixing, restoring color and mounting [3]. Coloring
and labeling are essential components in
mounting a specimen in the museum.
Fig. 1: 1a- Dry human skull colored with
different colored nail polish.
1b- Wet specimen of chambers of heart.
The pulmonary artery and vein are
colored using different colored nail
polish.
Fig. 2: 2a- Wet specimen of Mandible with
muscles derived from first pharyngeal
arch. The direct labels used here are
coated with clear nail polish,
2b- Wet specimen showing the muscles of
head and neck region. The proxy labels
used here are coated with clear nail polish.
Int J Anat Res 2015, 3(2):1165-67. ISSN 2321-4287
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Latha V. Prabhu et al. A NOVEL METHOD FOR COLORING AND LABELING SPECIMENS IN THE ANATOMY MUSEUM.
Nail polish is a type of lacquer applied on human
finger and toe nails to protect and decorate nails.
Nail polish was discovered in China in early
3000BC, being made in the Ming Dynasty using
a mixture of egg whites and bee wax [4]. The
constituents of commercially available nail
polish include nitrocellulose resin, adhesive
polymers, solvents and coloring agents [4]. Amyl
acetate is an organic compound and an ester. It
is used as a solvent for lacquer compounds. Nail
polishes are of three varieties gel, base and top
coat. We use base preparations in direct coloring
and the top coat clear nail polish for layering.
Use of nail polish as a coloring agent for dry
bones is now practiced in our museum with
relative ease (Figure 1a). Clear nail polish can
also be layered directly on to colored wet
specimens (Figure 1b). These specimens were
colored more than 6 years ago. There has been
no damage or observable fading of its color.
Lacquer has been used earlier as well. Saunders
demonstrated the use of lacquer for painting wet
specimens. It was proved to be satisfactory for
larger vessels but inadequate for smaller tissues
as the colors blurred and tended to run. We use
nail polished as direct paint only for dry bones
[5]. A glossy effect is obtained and the bone has
remained undisturbed without fading of its colors
for a period of 6-7 years. Layering colored
specimens with a coat of amyl acetate and clear
nail polish prevents the running of the color into
the mounting fluid. This increases the durability
of the specimen and also prevents turbidity of
the fluid necessitating its change. This proves
the cost effectiveness of the product.
There are two schools of thought regarding
labeling of specimens. Firstly, that the object
should speak for itself and secondly, that the
label should serve to illustrate the principles
involved. In early days labels were made using
old X- ray sheets by removing the emulsion in
hot water [6]. We use computerized labels of
required size with a clear font. In our museum
earlier direct labeling was practiced. These days
we perform proxy labeling where the specimens
are numbered and the description is by the side
or mounted separately. Applying a finishing layer
of the above mixture has proved to increase the
quality of the label. Figure 2a and 2b depicts
specimens that have been labeled using the
Int J Anat Res 2015, 3(2):1165-67. ISSN 2321-4287
above described technique. The coat offered by
the amyl acetate and clear nail polish prevents
the leakage of the ink on to the specimen and in
to the fixating fluid. Thereby long term
preservation of the displayed specimens in the
anatomy museum is ensured.
CONCLUSION
Usage of commercially available nail polish is a
cost effective and a productive methodology.
Being readily available and non-toxic it can be
used to highlight structures in dry bones as well
as a protective covering for colored wet
specimens and in labels.
Conflicts of Interests: None
REFERENCES
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[2]. Stelmackowich C. The Instructive Corpse: Dissection,
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[3]. Culling CFA, Allison RT, Barr WT. 1985. Cellular
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[4]. Toedt John, Koza Darrell, and Cleef-Toedt Kathleen
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[5]. Saunders M, Rice AH. 1944. A practical technique
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How to cite this article:
Latha V. Prabhu, Mangala M. Pai, Divya
Premchandran, Rajanigandha Vadgaonkar,
Murlimanju B.V. A NOVEL METHOD FOR COLORING AND LABELING SPECIMENS IN THE
ANATOMY MUSEUM. Int J Anat Res
2015;3(2):1165-1167. DOI: 10.16965/ijar.2015.192
1167